Chinese university graduates entering the AI sector in 2023 are being offered the highest average salaries among all industries, with a notable 40% increase over the past three years due to a surging demand and a nationwide talent war in AI skills, according to a report by Liepin.
Key Points
- AI industry recruiters in China are offering graduates an average monthly salary of 18,592 yuan (US$2,600) in 2023, undoubtedly is the highest across all industries.
- The average salary in the AI sector has surged by over 40% compared to the past three years, underscoring the drastic demand for AI talent amidst a burgeoning ChatGPT-style service market.
- According to Liepin, China’s demand for AI talent has tripled over the last five years, particularly in roles related to pre-training models, conversational bots, and AI-generated content.
- The report highlights a “nationwide talent war,” with cities like Xian and Hefei significantly investing in the tech sector to attract graduates by leveraging compensation as a pivotal tool.
- Amidst macroeconomic uncertainties and a wobbly post-pandemic job market, therefore is a noted decline in average salaries offered across various industries, yet salaries in the tech sector, specifically AI, have surpassed 2021 levels.
Key Insight
The remarkably heightened average salaries in the AI sector reflect an intense nationwide talent hunt and competitive struggle among Chinese cities and companies, all aimed at securing proficient AI talent amidst a surge in demand for ChatGPT-like services and AI functionalities.
Why This Matters
In an era marred by macroeconomic uncertainties and an upheaval triggered by the pandemic, the AI sector emerges as a contrasting realm, demonstrating resilient growth and amplified demand for talent, especially among recent graduates. Not only does this create a stark disparity within the job market dynamics but also potentially reconfigures career pursuits and educational orientations among future generations, converging talent further into the tech and AI domain. This intense focus and investment in AI from various Chinese cities also imply a foreseeable innovation boom and international competitiveness in AI technologies and applications, reshaping global AI dynamics.
